for a walk, the others had picked up the phrase and used it as
occasion served. This is the more natural as the favourite game of
the little ones at present is luring each other away by wiles. A
correspondent writes us that to see some of the tiny tots pretending
to be the "bloofer lady" is supremely funny. Some of our
caricaturists might, he says, take a lesson in the irony of grotesque
by comparing the reality and the picture. It is only in accordance
with general principles of human nature that the "bloofer lady"
should be the popular role at these al fresco performances. Our
correspondent naively says that even Ellen Terry could not be so
willingly attractive as some of these grubby-faced little children
pretend-and even imagine themselves-to be.

There is, however, possibly a serious side to the question, for some
of the children, indeed all who have been missed at night, have
been slightly torn or wounded in the throat. The wounds seem such
as might be made by a rat or a small dog, and although of not much
importance individually, would tend to show that whatever animal
inflicts them has a system or method of its own. The police of the
division have been instructed to keep a sharp look-out for straying
children, especially when very young, in and around Hampstead
Heath, and for any stray dog which may be about.

"The Westminister Gazette," 25 September.

Extra Special.

THE HAMPSTEAD HORROR.

Another Child injured.

The "Bloofer Lady."

We have just received intelligence that another child, missed last
night, was only discovered late in the morning under a furze bush
at the Shooter’s Hill side of Hampstead Heath, which is, perhaps,
less frequented than the other parts. It has the same tiny wound in
the throat as has been noticed in other cases. It was terribly weak,
and looked quite emaciated. It too, when partially restored, had the
common story to tell of being lured away by the "bloofer lady."